Acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) are similar but not the same. If you experience frequent episodes of acid reflux, you may need to undergo tests to determine the cause.
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux refers to acid from the stomach travelling up the food pipe (oesophagus). Almost everyone experiences reflux at some point, though some have it more often than others. Some feel discomfort in their chest during a reflux episode, though others barely notice it.
Reflux can cause indigestion (feeling uncomfortably full) and heartburn (a burning feeling in the chest). You may also have a bitter taste in your mouth after reflux, bad breath, or a hoarse voice and feel sick.
You are more likely to have reflux if you eat too much or too fast. The foods you eat can trigger reflux, specifically fatty or fried foods, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and spicy food, as can factors like stress, and smoking.
Many people manage it by making simple changes, such as eating slower, taking smaller bites, and adjusting their diet. Over-the-counter medications, such as antacids, can also help. Your pharmacist can recommend treatment options for occasional acid reflux.
What is the difference between acid reflux and GORD?
GORD refers to chronic or severe acid reflux. If you have this condition, you will often experience reflux episodes, and it does not go away without medication.
Some people experience it without symptoms, known as silent reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). However, others experience the usual symptoms that come with reflux as well as the effects of oesophageal damage, such as sore throats.
Stages of GORD
People with mild (stage 1) GORD may only have reflux once or less a week. If you have moderate (stage 2), you may experience it a few times each week. Severe (stage 3) disease causes reflux at least a few times a week, along with other persistent symptoms. These can include swallowing problems, a continuous cough, and pain in your throat or chest area. Watch our video to learn more about a GORD cough.
You may be able to manage it at home if it is mild, though a severe case requires medical intervention. At stage 3, prescription medications may not be enough to treat the condition. We understand this can sound scary, but it is easy to manage in most people once you have your diagnosis. However, you must follow your treatment plan to see an improvement and prevent future problems.
When to see a doctor about acid reflux
Before we can form a treatment plan, we need to confirm your diagnosis and rule out other causes. If you are experiencing reflux symptoms multiple times a week, you should book an appointment with your doctor.
You should also book an appointment if you have symptoms of severe acid reflux. Your doctor can assess your condition and recommend lifestyle changes and prescription medications if necessary. They can also refer you to a specialist called a gastroenterologist to confirm your diagnosis.
If you are not sure whether you are experiencing reflux, speaking to a pharmacist can help. They can ask questions about how you feel and let you know if they think you need to see a doctor.
Other causes
It is possible that your symptoms are not due to reflux, as they can overlap with other conditions. Conditions with similar symptoms include achalasia, eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) and functional heartburn. Pregnancy and a hiatal hernia can also cause temporary, persistent reflux, which should ease either after pregnancy or once the hernia is gone.
Diagnosing GORD
It is important to receive a diagnosis so you can get the treatment you need and prevent any complications. Read our blog to learn more: The importance of diagnosing GORD.
We use various tests to diagnose GORD, including barium swallow, endoscopy (gastroscopy), 96-hour wireless pH Bravo capsule and high-resolution oesophageal manometry. If you are not suitable for a Bravo capsule test, we may recommend a 24-hour pH impedance test.
An endoscopy is often the first test we will perform to diagnose this condition and assess the state of your oesophagus. We discuss how we do this here: How a private endoscopy can help with diagnosing GORD.
How common is GORD?
According to NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), between 10% and 30% of the adult population experience GORD-type symptoms in developed countries – 8.8 to 25.9% in Europe. However, the prevalence varies in different areas of the world.
Watch Dr Sarmed Sami, our Consultant Gastroenterologist and Founder, discuss whether GORD is curable in our short video.
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Speak to a specialist about your reflux
Without guidance or treatment, severe acid reflux can affect your day-to-day life. However, many people don’t realise that the condition is often easy to manage.
Speaking to a specialist can get you on the right track to preventing future reflux episodes and healing your oesophagus. Book an appointment with one of our experts to discover whether you have GORD and how to feel better again.
